8 Wellness Retreats to Help You Meet Your New Year's Resolutions

Whether you proudly proclaimed a list of New Year's resolutions on January 1 or simply made a mental note of intentions for the new year, it takes time to create real lifestyle changes. That's why a wellness retreat might be beneficial—it encourages you to step back from your ordinary routine and refocus on your goals.

"Going to a retreat allows us to take time to utilize our neural plasticity and make real changes in our brain. We can create traits that we choose for our lives such as acceptance, peace, wisdom, and self-compassion," explains Heather Prete, a UCLA- certified mindfulness facilitator, self-compassion teacher, mindfulness in recovery coach, and teacher at The DEN Meditation. "We deserve to take time for ourselves and dedicate several days to develop the well-being that is our birthright."

No matter if you call them resolutions, goals, or intentions, there's a wellness retreat to help you create the life you want: Overcome insomnia with a seven-day escape in Bali, get to know yourself better in Ojai, or learn to cultivate happiness with one of the following immersive experiences. These eight wellness retreats are much more than a vacation.

Improve Your Sleeping Habits

Experience The Sleep Awakening workshop at Como Shambhala Estate in Bali. The property offers a variety of wellness programs, retreats, and experiences, but if you've set an intention of treating your body to a more restful and rejuvenating slumber, you'll want to join the retreat taking place from May 17 through 23. In the workshop, hosted by sleep therapist and author Tristian Kelly, you'll learn diet, mindfulness, relaxation, and work/life balance techniques to help you find deeper sleep.

Prioritize Balance

Journey to Lefay Resort & Spa at Lago di Garda in Italy to bring balance into your life. Of the many wellness offerings at the resort, the Purity and Balance Detox could be just the thing to help you regain energy and feel more balanced in your daily life. Upon arrival, you'll experience an energy examination to determine your energy levels for a highly personalized journey. Enjoy a variety of spa treatments and activities developed to help you detoxify your body and rebalance your physical energy.

Find Joy Through Silence

Heather Prete of Den Meditation will lead a five-day silent meditation retreat called Savoring Silence from February 8 through 13. You'll stay at a private estate in Ojai, California, at the base of the Los Padres National Forest. The ultimate privacy of the setting in nature along with the mindful practice of silence will help you cultivate an inner stillness and learn to truly savor the quiet. Eat healthy vegetarian meals and practice daily mediations each day.

Get in Touch With Your Body

BodyHoliday Saint Lucia offers a variety of wellness experiences from yoga and Vedic retreats to stress relief and health retreats. If fitness and nutrition were a part of your New Year's resolutions, consider booking a stay for the Stronger Me retreat, which focuses on a balanced, holistic approach to nutrition and wellness. With a team of nutritionists, chefs, personal trainers, physiologists, and instructors by your side, you'll be able to cultivate the lifestyle habits you want.

Learn to Cultivate Happiness

This April, you can embark on a journey toward happiness at Mii amo in Sedona, Arizona. The Zen of Happy retreat is led by Gita Wagner, who will provide you with the tools to feel greater happiness in your life long after the retreat is over. Learn about the idea of Zen at this intimate and healing destination spa in the Sedona mountains.

Eat Well

Develop a taste for healthy, quality food made with natural ingredients and a focus on sustainability at Six Senses Zighy Bay in Oman. The Eat With Six Senses program is a pillar of Six Senses Integrated Wellness, developed by highly respected doctors and wellness professionals. Choose to relax and enjoy the resort or plan for a full-immersion wellness program to incorporate with the food and drink offerings.

Rediscover Yourself

Join thyroid expert and master teacher Fern Olivia Langham, founder of Thyroid Yoga, for an intimate retreat in Nosara, Costa Rica, at the Nomadic Hotel from April 21 through 28in collaboration with TribeWire Nosara. The program includes practices in thyroid yoga, meditation, Reiki energy healing, cacao ceremonies, and sacred sound singing with a goal of helping you rediscover your primal, intuitive self. Enjoy all that Costa Rica has to offer as you gather tools from Olivia that you'll take back home with you.

Learn How to Stay Calm and Think Positively

At the Red Mountain Resort in St. George, Utah, behavioral therapist, best-selling author, and international speaker Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D., will lead a four-day retreat this February called The Link Is What You Think. Learn how to neutralize negative thoughts and erase limiting beliefs during a luxurious weekend in the mountains. You'll find out how to identify and challenge negative thoughts and behaviors and become who you want to be with concrete methods from Dr. Mantell.